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Ondrusek hoping for a strong finish

Ondrusek hoping for a strong finish

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Logan Ondrusek

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CINCINNATI -- Reds reliever Logan Ondrusek was collateral damage, of sorts, in the two-game suspension of catcher Devin Mesoraco last month. The Reds needed a catcher and Ondrusek was one of the few on the roster with options left, so he was sent down to Triple-A Louisville.

Ondrusek struggled in August but was having a good season overall, so the move came as a surprise.

"When I found out, it was kind of, 'What the heck is going on here?' They explained everything to me, and I understood. It's a business move," said Ondrusek, who was recalled on Saturday when rosters expanded. "Sometimes, you're going to come up short. There's nothing you can do about it but keep your head up and move on."

Ondrusek worked a perfect ninth inning and struck out one during the Reds' 4-2 loss to the Phillies on Monday. He is 3-2 with a 3.42 ERA in 54 games for the Reds this year. In August, he gave up five runs over 6 2/3 innings (6.75 ERA). In three appearances for Louisville, he allowed four runs, eight hits and four walks over four innings, with five strikeouts.

"It didn't go as well as I wanted [it] to. I went down there to try and get back on track," Ondrusek said. "Nobody goes through a season perfect. Everybody has times where they struggle. Mine happened to be at the wrong time. I always want to do my best and put up a zero, but I know it's not going to happen all the time. It's a matter of getting back on track, putting zeros up, getting guys out and finishing strong at the end."

Ondrusek hopes his track record and a strong finish will help him as far as postseason roster consideration goes, assuming the first-place Reds reach the playoffs.

"I'd like to think so, but it's still going to be all on performance and how I do in September," Ondrusek said. "As long as I do my job, everything should take care of itself."